Russia to Georgia. Is anybody going this way via ?
 

Hi All,

I've been following the UK FCO website and they aren't recommending the route between Russia and Georgia via Verkhny Lars even though the border is open.

Has anybody been through this area recently? Is it worth the risk?

Is there another option? A ferry has been suggested instead from Sochi to Batumi. Has anybody taken this route?

BATUMI Travel Information - GEORGIA TRAVEL GUIDE - Budget hotels in Batumi, travel by train from Batumi to Kutaisi, ferry boat Batumi - Sochi (Russia), ferries to Odessa

Jon

Quote from FCO website

You should also not attempt to enter or leave Georgia via the land borders with the Russian Federation (i.e. Dagestan, Chechnya, Ingushetia, North Ossetia). We advise against travel to these areas of Russia (please see our Russia Travel Advice for more information). The border crossing between Russia and Georgia has reopened at Verkhny Lars for those holding a valid Russian entry-exit visa and valid passport. Russian visas are not available at the checkpoint.

Georgia travel advice

Lots of people have since used this crossing.

Georgia Military Highway � Adventure Vagabond

Lol for a sec thought this was our ride. We crossed that border around the same time. No problems & the Georgian military highway is stunning. A bit lumpy but amazing scenery.

Stephen / All

What about going the other way, entering Georgia via Russia.

Would you have any problems when leaving Georgia to Turkey for example? Would it been seen as you entered Georgia illegally by the Georgian's?

Thanks for any advise.

Shouldn't be a problem, Georgia is visa on arrival as is Turkey. We went in and out of Georgia to go to Armenia, no issues.

niel
 

Have you been on the highway... Is there a hard surface.? I have travelled on very bad roads but dirt tracks are no good two up on goldwing,
I hope to travel from Tbilisi to Vladikavkaz and then north to Volgograd.
Information would be most appreciated.
John

niel
 

Have you been on the highway... Is there a hard surface.? I have travelled on very bad roads but dirt tracks are no good two up on goldwing,
I hope to travel from Tbilisi to Vladikavkaz and then north to Volgograd.
Information would be most appreciated.
John

Verkhny Lars is open since last year.


Easy to cross, coming from Georgia just 3/4 km. of soft surface before Kazbegi. I did it with a BMW R 1150 RT, so anyone can do it bier

I am in Gudauri right now. It is just south of the Kazbagi Crossing. The roads here are broken pavement and many times resemble a gravel road. AKA very nice adventure roads. The mountains are beautiful. Watch out for the drivers in Georgia though. they don't see bikes very well. In a country of 4.5M... there are only 1000 registered bikes.

Let us now how the border crossing goes.

Sorry to mislead. I won't be going into Russia at this crossing.:oops2:
I will be going into Azerbaijan and the Stans. I'm in Gudauri to ski and do maintenance on the moto while waiting for the snow to melt in Siberia.

The georgian military highway is really cracked up and cratered. Most of it is relatively solid just really bumpy and the going will be slow. Giant tour buses travel this way & most of the bad parts are wide. the side roads into one of the valleys are more like gravel & dirt leading to cliffside dirt & mud with water flowing.

We did the crossing at Kazbegi borders last year (from Russia to Georgia).
No problem at all! This same period two French friends did the opposite direction with no problems.
The place is really beautiful but the road is more like an enduro track! this is for almost 15 klm. We did not have serious problems with the bikes (Honda Varadero, Suzuki Vstrom) but you must cross it during the daylight!
Regards
Aris

russia to georgia
 

Thanks for the information.was not able to get visas in time last year. Will be travelling to Ukraine Russia and then Georgia this year. Will let you know how I get on. John

Elista to Vladikavkaz
 

I am in Volgograd and will be heading south towards Georgia tomorrow.
Does anyone have experience of the direct route south from Elista to Vladikavkaz.

Google suggests a good road. My zumo is useless. I didn't buy the £75 Russian maps option.
.. My maps show a swamp area with narrow roads.
I know I can travel southwest no problem.

I will let all know about Georgian military highway!

Just few days ago came through from Georgia to Russia.

For maps, take the maps you need from here Free worldwide Garmin maps from OpenStreetMap. Those work very well in Russia.

Does people still put value in anything the FCO says?

georgian highwa tomorrow
 

Didn't take direct route to vladikavkaz. About 100 miles to go. Georgian military highway tomorrow

just did it
 

I crossed the Russia to Georgia border yesterday and stayed in a bed and breakfast for 20euro for myself and my wife and pillion Julie. In Stepantsminda.

The border crossing was quite fast, about an hour.
The road around other border was all cut up and hard going two up on a Goldwing.
The broad was rough but OK up until just after Stepantsminda
It was then new road work in progress .loose stone and gravel mixed with sand and mud even on steep bends.
An extremely demanding route two up on a Honda Goldwing.
After about 8 miles it was possible to more or less relax.
Though the roadworks people had kindly sprayed the base hard surface with loose gravel to stop bikers getting bored.
All in all a great ride but not for the fainthearted.

I would also like to claim fame as to being the first to do the route on a Goldwing.
But would be delighted to be contacted and swap stories with anyone who beat me to it.
Have fun all.
John and Julie

Magic run over military highway.

Came through the GMH 2 days ago
No probs at all
That's the road and the officialdom
Worst bit was going into the tunnels in no mans land
Going from bright sunlight to dark eyes not adjusting quick enough

great trip
 

I put the details elsewhere. Great trip to Elista from Volgograd then on to vlkadikazkav.
The Georgian military highway was amazing on a Goldwing. Did not fall off once!
Border is open major repair works on road. Most dangerous situation is driving in Georgia.worst drivers I have ever come across. Will push you off the road nearly.